I can never tell when someone is just arguing for the thrill of it or if they're genuine...

As someone who's had five dogs and three cats + been married, divorced, and remarried pets cost more just in terms of money. I bought real wedding bands & engagement rings from a proper jeweler for about $1,500 USD per ring. On the other hand I spent between $1500-3000 in vet bills alone for almost every pet I've adopted just in the first year; not to mention the toys, food, etc that comes along.

I suspect you're gonna say "oh, well some people spend tens of thousands on wedding bands" which is true, but those are also the types of people who spend five-figures on purebred pets and doesn't apply to the average experiece.